Bulletin Column

These reports are from the previous four issues of the Daily Bulletin in Colfax. They are reprinted here for the benefit of Gazette readers who reside outside of Colfax. Some accounts have been updated.

Ice causes collision

Washington State Patrol reported that Byron G. Kaczmarski, Dayton, was northbound on State Route 195 about six and a half miles north of Colfax a little after 10 a.m. Monday when he lost control of a 2004 Chevrolet box van on the icy road.

The vehicle slid across the centerline, striking the vehicle of Manuel G. Chavez, Spokane, who was driving a 1998 GMC pickup southbound.

No one was injured.

Council to meet on Tuesday

Colfax City Council will meet on Tuesday, Jan. 22, at 7 p.m., to avoid a conflict with the Martin Luther King holiday on Monday.

Mellor makes all star

John Mellor has been selected to the East/West All Star football game to be held in Yakima in June. He was selected from 150 players from the 2A, 1A and 2B ranks in Eastern Washington.

Diamond fire crew responds to pickup fire

Diamond Fire Department responded to a possible structure fire at 301 Huntley Road near Diamond Monday morning about 8:45 a.m.

According to District 11 Diamond Fire Chief Clark Capwell, the fire started in a block heater inside a pickup that was parked in a lean-to that was next to a shop.

Clark said when the fire department arrived, the owner was trying unsuccessfully to pull the pickup out of the lean-to. Fire department crews hooked a winch to a fire engine and successfully pulled the pickup out before the fire could spread.

The damage was confined to the pickup which the chief said was a total loss.

WSP reports non injury collision

At 10 p.m. on Jan. 10, Loni J. Uhlorn, Kamiah, Idaho, was traveling north on State Route 195 when the 2002 Saturn SC2 he was driving lost control on compact snow, crossed the centerline and went into the southbound lane. The vehicle entered a ditch and struck a fence. He was not injured.

Little kids to cheer at halftime Friday

The little kids cheer performance will be during halftime of the Bulldog girls’ varsity basketball game against NW Christian on the home court Friday, Jan. 18. The girls’ game begins at 6 p.m. Permission slips and money must be turned into Jennings Elementary School by tomorrow.

Pullman man arrested on attempted rape

Alexander Lee Jeung, 19, Pullman, was arrested on several attempted rape related charges during the early morning hours of Jan. 10 including second degree attempted rape, indecent liberties and fourth degree assault.

At a little after 1 a.m., Pullman police responded to the 300 block of NE Maple Street for an assault that had just taken place. The 19-year-old female victim reported that she was walking home when she noticed that she was being followed by a man. She was later tackled in a parking lot off of Maple Street and sexually attacked (fondled). She screamed and the male fled on foot. A witness to the screaming, not the attack, saw the suspect, called 911 and was able to give responding officers a physical and clothing description.

Responding officers located Jeung who matched the description on foot several blocks away and were able to develop probable cause for his arrest.

The victim was treated for minor facial injuries at Pullman Regional Hospital.

Man ordered to pay $10,000

Josh Chastain pleaded guilty Jan. 7 to third degree theft of money and a safe from Darin Barry’s LaCrosse home on Aug. 12, 2012. When Chastain stole Barry’s safe, he damaged it. Cost to replace the safe is at least $500. Chastain stole at least $4,750 from the safe. Judge David Frazier ordered Chastain to pay Barry $10,000.

Failure to appear leads to arrest

Michael Aaron Dorsey, 24, Silverdale, was arrested by Whitman County Sheriff’s deputies on Jan. 2 after failing to appear on a charge of second degree possession of stolen property. A bench warrant was issued in July 2012 and bail was set at $10,000.

Dorsey pleaded not guilty and a jury trial is set for March 18.

WSP reports collisions

On Jan. 7 a little after noon about three miles east of Pullman on SR-270, Ann J. Bowes of Moscow was traveling westbound in the left lane when she lost control of her 2002 Subaru Impreza in the snow and slush on the roadway. The Subaru crossed over the center turn lane and struck a 1997 Suzuki EST driven by Piotr Kulinich of Spokane on the driver’s side door and fender. No one was injured.

At about 5:40 p.m. on Jan. 7, nine and a half miles north of Pullman on SR-27, Derrick R. Bosch of Palouse was southbound in a 2006 Ford Ranger pickup hauling a mattress and box spring. As the pickup met and passed a northbound vehicle driven by Anna K. Blair of Princeton, Idaho, the box spring fell out and struck Blair’s 2003 Subaru Baja pickup on the driver’s side front. No injuries were reported.

Jan. 7, 16 miles north of Colfax on SR-195, Jerry I. Tiano of Pullman was northbound when the 2002 Honda CRV he was driving lost control in the snow, slush and drifting snow, crossed the centerline and struck the guardrail. He was not injured.

Mayor pro tem, committees appointed

Colfax City Council elected Councilman Jim Kackman mayor pro tem for 2013 at the Jan. 7 council meeting. He will act as mayor in the absence of Mayor Todd Vanek.

Elected to the 2013 Personnel Committee are David Nails, Tom Huntwork and Steve Holberg with Kackman as alternate. Finance Committee members are Don Henderson, Al Vorderbrueggen and Huntwork with Nails as alternate. Public Works Committee are Jeannette Solimine, Vorderbrueggen and Kackman with Henderson as alternate. Public Safety Committee members are Nails, Solimine and Holberg with Henderson as alternate.

Vorderbrueggen suggested the committees might work more efficiently if each elected a chairman who could report activity to the rest of the council and schedule meetings.

Farm City Day reservations requested

Farm City Day, hosted jointly by the Colfax and Pullman chambers of commerce, is Tuesday, Jan. 29, at Hill Ray Plaza.

Sponsorships are $100 and will be highlighted in the program. Cost of the program is $15 for those not covered by sponsorships.

Colfax Chamber of Commerce will supply letters for people to invite farmers.

RSVP to the Pullman Chamber of Commerce.

For more information, contact the Colfax chamber office.

Trial date set

Kerry Edward Morrison, charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver and residential burglary, is set for a jury trial on Feb. 19 at 9 a.m.

Flook sent to jail

Roger William Flook Jr., convicted in Whitman County Superior Court of being an accomplice to identity theft in the first degree, first degree identity theft, second degree identity theft and two counts of second degree possession of stolen property, was transported to jail according to documents filed Jan. 11.

Colfax police log

On Jan. 10, at a little before 7 a.m., officers responded to a report of a burglary at the Colfax Barber Shop. Upon arrival, police discovered that entry into the business had been made through the front window which had been broken. An undisclosed amount of cash had been taken from the business as well as other items. The investigation is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Colfax Police Department.

On Jan. 11 at 8:25 a.m., a vehicle which was blocking the alley in the 200-300 block of Upton Street was towed.

On Jan. 11 at 1:30 p.m., a break-in was reported in the 900 block of South Meadow Street. A vacated rental property had been vandalized around the middle of December. The back door to the property had been forced open and the interior of the residence vandalized.

On Jan. 11 at 3:23 p.m., officers responded to a report of a student doing “donuts” in the parking lot of the ag shop near the high school. Officers were able to locate the driver. He was issued a citation for second degree negligent driving.

On Jan. 11 at 8:15 p.m., officers responded to a report of subjects spinning “donuts” in the area of Oak Street. The vehicle was gone upon arrival.

On Jan. 13, a little after midnight, on the 800 block of South Vista Point Drive, a resident returned home after being gone for two weeks and noticed damage to an exterior door which appeared to have been forced open. Officers are still investigating.

On Jan. 13, at 10:49 a.m., officers responded to the 900 block of South Meadow Street to a report of a domestic disturbance. A 17-year-old juvenile was arrested for fourth degree assault/domestic violence.